There is always that one team that an opponent like The Deutsche Bank Skyliners dont want to meet like The Brose Baskets Bamberg who they would rather meet in the dark to avoid a Suput or Jacobsen or meet them on ice where they are stranded on thin ice with slick oil that is specially attracted to their sneakers. However then again there are teams like The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig who Frankfurt would love to meet on a Sunday rather than your mother in law for lunchand a DVD afternoon watching A big fat Greek wedding. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have had the number of The New Yorker Phantoms for 59 months straight now not losing since April 2006 and winning the last 10 games in a row including the last 5 games in a row in the dark, mysterious and Phantom prone Volkswagon Halle in Braunschweig. Frankfurt has shown that they adore to have the Phantoms on their extensive basketball menu, the same way that actor Alex Baldwin has Paparazzi on his menu, Lebron James having the Orlando Magic for lunch netting 51 points and Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers having the Eagles, Falcons and Bears all on his menu as he beat them all on the road which led to his first Super Bowl recently. The Deutsche bank Skyliners travel to Braunschweig on February 20th and want to keep their long unbeaten streak alive in the Volkswagon Halle seeking their sixth win in a row. “I just think it is about match ups and sometimes teams get on a run that like against certain teams. It is unfortunate for Braunschwieg but at the same time, streaks dont last forever so that could be another way to look at it. Yes in the back of your mind the streak is in your mind about beating a team consecutive times. It is also tough to beat a team when that teams knows that as well, because they are bringing there best game to end the streak as well”, added TBB Trier guard John Bynum.  Bynum isnt sure if Wood will scare the Phantom, but he will get the better of him some way. “Half of The BEKO BBL doesn´t even know what the Braunschweig Phantom really is. I think though that Wood has a good chance of out smarting the Phantom or whatever it is”, joked John Bynum.

One guy that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners will not have to deal with will be Heiko Schaffartzik. The German National player fled to Turkey, but had little chance to unleash his three point bombs from the beach of Antalyaas he now is trying to do it from the Spree river for Alba berlin. Schaffartzik has a knack for hitting the big shot and showed it enough last season. Schaffartzik was an important part of the club last season and the question will be if the Phantoms can roam the German basketball arenas and be successful without him? “The loss of Heiko will be big. They have lost another good ball handler and a player that makes the big shot. He was their main outside threat last season”, stressed Quentin Pryor. However, the team does have some other scoring punch and might be able to compensate the loss. “Kevin Hamilton is more than capable of being the main ball handler. Brandon Thomas was their leading scorer last season and should fill the shooting and scoring role”, warned Quentin Pryor. . Despite what was said early in the season by these BEKO BBL players, The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig have shown that they have enough scoring punch to compensate the loss of Schaffartzik.
After the more than satisfactory 2010-2011 BEKO BBL season where The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig reached the semi finals, coach Sebastian Machowski kept a core of important players like Americans Kevin Hamilton, Brandon Thomas, Jason Cain, and captain and Mr everything on the court Nils Mittman. The most important player that was kept was American Marcus Goree who might be 34, but can still have big games on a consistent rate and pour in a double double here and there The team bode farewell to German big man Yassin Idbihi who escaped to more dough on the Spree in Berlin, Americans Nate Fox, Michael Hicks and John Allen. The biggest loss was German National player Heiko Schaffartzik who finally made the jump to a top European club Turk Telekom Antalya after showing his increasing talent for seven years in Germany, but was unable to male an impact in Turkey.. The team was strengthened by basketball world traveler Lamaar Greer, American Kyle Visser who returns for a second tour of duty in Braunschweig, experienced American combo guard Tony Skinn and German Nick Schneiders.
Currently The New Yorker Phantoms are in fifth place with a record of 14-9 and are proving that last seasons semi final appearance wasn´t a fluke. After a slow start where they went 3-5 including a four game losing streak, the club has rebounded nicely positing a 11-4 record since November 13th. With a current fifth place in the standings and a date in the BEKO BBL Cup Final 4 in Bamberg in early April, The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig will be motivated in the next weeks to be ready for the chance of that first title in 2011 and could even have the strength to reach the final in the playoffs. “I do think that Braunschweig is stronger this season. They have a lot of weapons at the offensive end and are playing really good basketball right now, they are a contender and one of the top teams in the BBL. I think they are a team that could scare people in the playoffs and be capable of beating top teams as well. They are getting better and better each week and will do damage in the playoffs”, warned John Bynum. Their three biggest wins this season all came at home and show that they arent scared of any top teams as they defeated Alba Berlin, The Telekom Baskets Bonn and The EWE Baskets Oldenburg. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners will have enough time to watch film this week and may find some difficulty finding weaknesses since the team is stocked with talent and strength. “I think their strength is that they have a lot of guys that can score the ball and they play really good team basketball. They have great guard play and guys on the perimeter that can play multiple positions. Weaknesses that is a tough one, but if I would say anything it would be depth down low”, warned John Bynum. TBB Trier did beat Braunschweig 74-65, but Bynum remembers the game well. “They really have good guard play and that stood out the most. The guards are always attacking and making plays and Visser and Cain as well as Goree play solid underneath the basket”, stressed John Bynum.
The team is led by 34 year old 201cm 106 kilo Marcus Goree. He played at West Virginia and since 2001 has been playing for some of the top teams in Europe. He is a typical European league PF, a little undersized to play the four, but very effective in low post game, thanks to strength and good fundamentals; runs very well the court, can defend well and even press on the perimeter; has great instincts for the game, and is also a good rebounder and shot blocker. He played for teams like Macabbi Tel Aviv(2003 cup winner), Benetton Trviso(Italy cup winner 2005 & 2007) or CSKA Moscow where he helped win the Euroleague in 2008. He has played 105 Euroleague games. Last season, he averaged 12.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-5(1.1bpg), FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 72.9%. This season, he is averaging 12,4ppg and 5,7rpg. He returns back to Frankfurt where he started his career in 2001-2002. “Goree is a very experienced player and knows exactly how the game is played. I think with the numbers that he is putting up that he plays younger than his age is”, stated Quentin Pryor. The main guy to shut down will be Marcus Goree. “The guy to stop is Goree. He is a strong post presence and they use him in many different ways to set up other players as well. He still plays very strong and does not play like he is 34”, expressed Brose Baskets Bamberg American Kyle Hines. “Goree is very strong and just knows how to get great position and score in low post”, said ex Braunschweig guard Steven Wright. The experience of Goree will be bolstered by basketball globe trotter Lamaar Greer. “They give the team added leadership and will keep the team level headed. I think that they will be big for the team having success”, warned Quentin Pryor. A big surprise last season was known scorer Brandon Thomas from San Antonio, Texas who quickly showed that he could continue to score at the next level in the BEKO BBL. He is a 25 year old 198 cm shooting guard/small forward who started last season with MEG Goettingen, but left, because he was supposed to play a position that he was not used to playing. Even though, he only played sparingly at UMASS in his senior year averaging 4,0ppg and 1,1rpg in the 2006-2007 season, he came to Europe in 2007 and exploded in the leagues in Norway and Austria. In Norway, he led the league in scoring with Fog Naestved averaging 24,5ppg, 4,6rpg, 3,2apf, 2,0spg and 1,0bpg. He was the Danish player of the year in 2008 and was MVP of the 2008 Allstar game. In 2008-2009, in Austria, he played for Kraftwerk Wels averaging 20,2ppg, 3,2rpg, 2,5apg. He has a great basketball IQ, can defend anyone and likes to finish around the rim. Last season for Braunschweig, he played 40 games: 10.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 74.6%.Currently he is averaging 13,9ppg, 4,4rpg and 1,7apg. He got a double double in the 74-71 loss to Bamberg. “I do believe my game is progressing and hopefully will continue to get better”, stressed Brandon Thomas.
The team also added some experience which will go hand in hand with Marcus Goree by welcoming Lamaar Greer who is a 34 year old 196cm guard from New Jersey. Already in high school, he was a known player as he grew up in Cape May Court House and played his high school ball at Middle Township. He was the New Jersey High School Player of the Year in 1994 and led Middle Township to two Group II state titles. As a second team Parade All-American, he scored 13 points in the McDonald’s All-Star game and had 16 points and 10 assists in Magic’s Roundball Classic. He played at Florida State from 1994-1998. Since turning professional in 1998, he has played in countries like Italy(3 years with teams like Record Napoli (Italy-A2, Media Broker Messina (Italy-Lega2), and Pompea Napoli (Italy-LegaA)
He also played in Russia for Uniks Kazan and three years for BC Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague) from 2004-2007. In the last three years, he played in Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Israel. Last season, he played for ASU Sports Club (Jordan-Premier League, starting five), in Dec.’09 moved to Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Premier League): 14 games: 14.9ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 64.5%. He has played 44 Eurocup games in his career. This season, he is averaging 10,2ppg, 1,8rpg and 2,0apg. The team also brought back Kyle Visser who is a 25 year old 211cm center from Grand Rapids, Michigan and played for The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig from 2007-2009. Last season, he played for EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 10.7ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT-2(50.0%), FT: 55.7%. He played at Wake Forest from 2003-2007 and was a teammate with NBA top point guard Chris Paul. He is a center who still hasn´t reached his fullest potential and could have his breakthrough year this season. Currently he is averaging 8,8ppg, 5,1rpg and 1,0apg.
The club also brought back 25 year old 208cm forward Jason Cain from Philadelphia who has the most experience in a Phantoms jersey. This is his fourth season in Braunschweig after coming from the University of Virginia.  “Jason has played extremely well. He played great in college and now he is in his fourth season in Braunschweig and he always plays hard on each play. He can rebound and play defense and just does his role”, commented Gloria Giants Duesseldorf guard Steven Wright. Last season, he played 40 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 72.6%. Currently he is averaging 10,1ppg, 4,5rpg and 1,5apg  The team might have landed one of the bigger steals last season landing 25 year old 193 combo guard Kevin Hamilton from New York. He played at Holy Cross with ex Skyliner Keith Simmons from 2002-2006. He played in Poland the last few years and in the summers in Puerto Rico. He played under coach Sebastian Machowski in Poland and was made into  a point guard even though he has been a shooting guard most of his career. He scored 17,9ppg in his last season at Holy Cross and last season he led the Polish league in assists. What makes him so dangerous is his scoring and his potential and ability to score are limitless. “In college, I averaged almost 18 points per game. I have been a shooting guard for most of my career. Two seasons ago, I had to play point guard in Poland. I always thought that I was a good passer. I think passing has come naturally to me. I have enjoyed playing point guard”, stressed Kevin Hamilton. The best thing that teams can do is to keep the ball out of Hamiltons hands, but that is about as impossible as doing the same to Lebron James. “We tried to keep the ball out of his hands. We didn´t want him to make plays. He is a true point guard. He is a great passer and makes things happen for them. When he gets going, it is hard to stop the team”, warned ex Braunschweig guard Steven Wright. Last season, Hamilton played 39 games: 10.1ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-3(5.4apg), Steals-2(1.9spg), FGP: 63.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 77.6%. He is one of those rare players that has triple double potential. Currently he is averaging 7,5ppg, 4,4rpg, 4,0apg and 2,1spg. Hamilton always looks so cool and calm on offense and defense and looks as if he is going at half speed, but he has very quick hands and before a player knows it, its too late as Hamilton already has a steal. Wood will have to be extra aware when Hamilton is guarding him.
Braunschweig also brought in Tony Skinn who is a 27 year old 185cm  guard from Washington DC that has the Nigerian/American citizenship. He is a combo guard with great leaping ability, who can run an offense at the point or excel at the scoring department. He played at George Mason from 2002-2006 and was a teammate with Telekom Baskets Bonn guard Folarin Campbell. He reached the NCAA Final 4 in 2006. After finishing at George Mason, he took part in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 10.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.7apg, 1.3spg, 0.3bpg, 2FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 37.5%. He played his first three seasons in France and last season for Pistoia (Italy-Lega2, starting five): 34 games: 15.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.6apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 67.0%. For Clermontois Basket Auvergne (France-ProA) and BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral (France-ProA), he averaged 16ppg. Opponents will have to get used to his leaping ability. “I am usually the smallest on the court. I can do a bit of everything. I can play defense and shot. I think that my athletcism gets overlooked. I can jump. Its seems like that isn´t noticed, but check my videos at you tube as you can see I can jump”, stressed Tony Skinn. Currently he is averaging 11,2ppg, 3,2rpg and 3,6apg. 30 year old 201cm German Nils Mittman is playing his sixth season in Braunschweig after having played there from 1998-2001. He is the ultimate team player that will do anything to win. He played two years in Ulm, two years in Wurzburg and three seasons in Ludwigsburg. Currently, he is averaging 3,3ppg and 1,8rpg.
The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig also added 26 year old 221cm German giant Nick Schneiders that was born in Bielefeld and grew up in Rietberg. he has experience having played in the States for S.Carol.Upstate (NCAA2) from 2005-2008 and then transferring to USC Upstate (NCAA) and playing there from 2008-2010. In his senior year, he played 29 games: 12.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 3.0bpg, FGP: 46.3%, FT: 57.6%. Currently he is averaging 1,8ppg and 2,2rpg.
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have very very fond memories of The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig as they have won the last ten games. The last loss was on March 11th, 2006 as Braunschweig won 81-76. The two most memorable games were from the 2008-2009 season. Who could forget the 68-58 win in the cup game which brought Frankfurt to the TOP 4 in Hamburg. That game displayed the best performance by guard Adam Emmenecker who came out of his shell and proved he has no nervous shooting hand as he left captain Pascal Roller on the bench as he had the hot hand leading the team with 13 points. However in the regular season game in Braunschweig, Roller got his revenge as he led the team to a 55-53 win as his last minute clutch jumper paved the way to the win. Last season, Frankfurt swept the series winning 81-77 as Frankfurt came from behind to win as Aubrey Reese poured in 21 points and prevailed at home 71-62 as Derrick Allen steered 18 points to the triumph. In teh first game this season, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners pulled out a thrilling 94-91 win at home. Frankfurt fought back in the fourth quarter as they came back from being behind 90-87 and close out the game on a 7-0 run as Skyliner captain Pascal Roller hit  a huge three pointer and Dashaun Wood a shot. Frankfurt did a fantastic job distributing the ball as seven players scored in double figures led by Pascal Roller and Kimmo Muurinen with 13 points a piece. Frankfurt dominated the boards 38-24.
The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig average 76 points per game and grab 33 rebounds per game. This will be no cake walk for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners as they will have some things to keep an eye on including every move of the Phantom. An interesting duel will be the Braunschweig guards against Dashaun Wood and Frankfurt should not forget who the x factor is for Braunschweig. I think Wood will see a lot of different guys, I think you have to give him different looks, because he is such a great offensive player, he will adjust. You just have to find different ways to try and slow him down. Frankfurt also has to keep an eye on their x factor Tony Skinn”, stressed John Bynum. “It will come down to how Frankfurt defends the low post. Braunschweig will have edge on blocks. I am sure Braunschweig will try to pound it down low”, warned Quentin Pryor. Marcus Goree and running is something that Frankfurt can´t allow Braunschweig to get going. “Frankfurt has to limit the touches of Goree and don´t give him a lot of space to make moves and set up his teammates. They should also keep them in the half court and slow down the game. Frankfurt should run a good offense and take good shots. They are really strong at spreading the floor and it is difficult to guard them. Every guy can shoot it from long range”, warned Kyle Hines. “Frankfurt has to use their quickness and get their bigs involved in the pick and roll to get them away from the basket or in foul trouble”, said Quentin Pryor. “Frankfurt should attack on transition. Braunschweig isn´t as good defensively as last season. They should also use the ball screen a lot and continue the drive and kick with Wood. He is very talented and knows the game”, stressed Steven Wright. Frankfurt will have to do their usual thing to win and shoot the ball well and let Wood do his thing. Braunschwieg has to control the tempo and boards and make Frankfurt play defense”, stressed John Bynum. “Braunschweig is a very explosive offensive team. This will be a very tough game and we will have to be evry focused. We will have to bring the same energy as we had against Bonn and Bremerhaven”, stressed Dashaun Wood. “We will have to execute on defense and key will be our defense and stop their transition”, added Skyliner guard Jimmy Mckinney. Frankfurt will need extra effort from each player as the team continues to loose people. With AJ Moye and German Fabian Franke still unable to play, the club lost shooting guard Dominic Bahiense De Mello for three weeks as he is suffered a rupture of a muscle fiber. Perhaps Roger Powell will be able to play on Sunday as his support under the basket would be heavily needed. The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig host The Deutsche Bank Skyliners February